HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- France's consul general for the Southeastern U.S. will be in Huntsville next week to tour NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and Cummings Research Park.

Denis Barbet is scheduled to arrive in the Rocket City on the evening of Jan. 16 and spend much of the following day here, according to a news release from the French Consulate Office in Atlanta. The North Alabama International Trade Association will serve as his host.

Barbet and two other diplomats from his office -- Scientific Attache Nicolas Florsch and Cultural Attache David Kibler -- will also be honored at a reception hosted by the International Society of Huntsville.

Denis Barbet

During his two-day visit to Alabama, Barbet is also scheduled to meet with Auburn University President Jay Gogue and other university leaders; and make a stop in Athens to award France's Legion of Honor medal to World War II veterans Calvin Bonner, Theo Calvin, William Hunter, Curtis Sprouse and Clifford Wilford.

Barbet "is convinced that (Alabama) offers excellent opportunities for university partnerships with France, as both France and Alabama are looking toward innovation in key scientific areas," the news release says.

An estimated 500 French citizens currently live in Alabama, and roughly 20 French companies -- including Airbus and aerospace/defense firm Safran -- have offices in the state.

This will be Barbet's first trip to Alabama since taking over last summer as France's consul general for the Atlanta region.